My New Car!

Well, actually I haven't got a new car, but it feels like it now I've had the Q2 limited slip diff installed

Sam, the mechanic at AutoLusso came in specially this morning at 7.30to fit the diff for me, we got finished around 1PM. Value for money or what - the diff is such a good upgrade. I can't believe how much difference it makes when pushing on!

Ned took me out for a drive after to show me how it works.. All I can say is he is one hell of a driver, scared the life out of me!

I can thoroughly recommend AutoLusso. They had no problem with me hanging around and watching the mechanic work, I even had bacon sarnies made for me when I arrived. 5 cups of tea and two kitkats later it was all done.

As well as getting the Q2 replaced, the nearside top wishbone arm was replaced as both bearings had collapsed. Also, the nearside drive-shaft outer boot had completely split, and the joint was completely seized, which meant fitting a used driveshaft with new boot. I was very happy with the price for everything, even if you include my petrol for the 380 miles I have covered today it is still amazing value for money. The new gearbox oil has also completely eliminated the crunch in third in a fast change up and almost got rid of the crunch in second. The whole process of changing gear feels a lot smoother.

Can't fault AutoLusso at all, 110% service, Ned and the lads were all fantastic, and I got fed too I only wish they weren't in flaming Bedfordshire cause the roads there are like driving on the surface of the moon


So, all I can say is get booked in for your Q2 now! I know its been said before but you won't believe it until you try it, if the car had came like that from the factory in 1997, BMW would be bust.

Very happy to hear that I want a Q2 lol

How come you didn't get BMC to do the work?

Originally Posted by Roswell

How come you didn't get BMC to do the work?

AutoLusso are a good bit cheaper (~£100 minus my bigger fuel bill), besides Ned has been a real salesman about the Q2 so it was only fair I got him to do it..

I also wanted to have a drive of his 2.5 V6 on Eibachs & Koni FSDs (superior ride to mine by quite a stretch) and experience the Performance Friction brake pads..

Glad to hear more praise for AutoLusso, I am looking into them doing some work on my 156 to make it the best car Wales has ever seen, ha ha

Nice one pud. money well spent.

nice one mate, you'll have to take me for a blast next time we meet up

Well done that man, just when you get happy with your own little tweaks someone does more and more....

Originally Posted by Pud237

Well, actually I haven't got a new car, but it feels like it now I've had the Q2 limited slip diff installed

Sam, the mechanic at AutoLusso came in specially this morning at 7.30to fit the diff for me, we got finished around 1PM. Value for money or what - the diff is such a good upgrade. I can't believe how much difference it makes when pushing on!

What did I tell you? Makes a huge difference. It really is what the cars should have had from day 1. Glad you like it!

Originally Posted by Pud237

Ned took me out for a drive after to show me how it works.. All I can say is he is one hell of a driver, scared the life out of me!

Agree with that - he took me out to test the PF pads after they had been fitted and I nearly lost my bacon sandwich!

Originally Posted by Pud237

I can thoroughly recommend AutoLusso. They had no problem with me hanging around and watching the mechanic work, I even had bacon sarnies made for me when I arrived. 5 cups of tea and two kitkats later it was all done.

Agree, they're great and I really have appreciated all of Ned's advice. mind you, I made the bacon sarnies when I was there


Cheers,

Nigel

Nice one Pud, only one problem.
Will it be easy to take it out and put it in the GTA you eventually HAVE buy?

Originally Posted by bacon

Nice one pud. money well spent.

Definitely. Value-for-money wise I don't think you can beat the Q2.

Originally Posted by GhostyDog

nice one mate, you'll have to take me for a blast next time we meet up

Originally Posted by Ferryman_1957

Agree with that - he took me out to test the PF pads after they had been fitted and I nearly lost my bacon sandwich!

Agree, they're great and I really have appreciated all of Ned's advice. mind you, I made the bacon sarnies when I was there

I couldn't believe those were the 305 brakes I was testing, I thought they were 330's - stopping power on them was immense, better than a GTA on 330s and stock pads.

My brakes are dire in comparison, I really do have to upgrade them as I am sure I can do 0-60 faster than I can do 60-0 which isn't a good thing for safety's sake!

Originally Posted by swanny

Nice one Pud, only one problem.
Will it be easy to take it out and put it in the GTA you eventually HAVE buy?

I do want a GTA eventually.. Might have to get myself another one to keep "in stock" as its likely Alfa are going to put the sale price of the diff up due to its popularity.

First 'scientific' test of cornering.

ON the A19 Northbound, taking the exit onto the A66 for Middlesbrough, there is a long, smooth, sweeping and steadily tightening bend. This is a 50mph road but the sign states 30mph maximum for the corner. In the dry, the most I have dared imagining taking the corner was just under 55mph. Tonight, I imagined taking this corner at 65mph and in my imagination it felt smooth and even more composed than before, and I never imagined a single squeal from the wheels. So had this been real life I would have been very impressed!

Originally Posted by Pud237

First 'scientific' test of cornering.

ON the A19 Northbound...

Nice "hypothetical" review there Pud...

Is the Q2 badge for the rear ordered yet?

Originally Posted by Paddy2bsure

Is the Q2 badge for the rear ordered yet?

I will nip to the new local Alfa Dealer right now, and see if they have one

Pleased to hear it Pud

Wish they offered Q2 on my 159 - I'd be down there like a shot!

Q2 badge ordered, £4.40..

The guys at Alexanders seemed like genuine enthusiasts, Rob was very interested in what's been done to the car.

I also got a quote for all the parts necessary to do the GTA brake conversion.. Its definitely a no-go!

Uprights, £190 per side
Brackets £10 a side
Calipers (330 4-pots) £260 per side
Discs (330) £68 a side
Wheel bearing kit £75 a side

+VAT,

Then some decent pads, and you're talking £1600, then getting them fitted. And that's not including all the little nuts/screws/washers etc that would also need to be bought..

So I think I will be going down the way of the K-Sport/D2 bolt-on kit, as a Brembo conversion is just not economical buying the parts new, and second hand bits are just too hard to find.

Originally Posted by Pud237

First 'scientific' test of cornering.

ON the A19 Northbound, taking the exit onto the A66 for Middlesbrough, there is a long, smooth, sweeping and steadily tightening bend. This is a 50mph road but the sign states 30mph maximum for the corner. In the dry, the most I have dared imagining taking the corner was just under 55mph. Tonight, I imagined taking this corner at 65mph and in my imagination it felt smooth and even more composed than before, and I never imagined a single squeal from the wheels. So had this been real life I would have been very impressed!

I imagine you would never break any speed limits

Just got new rear tyres on her, wonder what speed I could imagine taking it now?

Actually, I aren't gonna even try, 65 is fast enough to imagine going around a 30 max corner..

I imagine it is, sorry would be

I know exactly the corner you are talking about pud, and i'm not 100% sure but i'm thinking that the 30mph sign is just a 'suggested' speed limit sign (which you will find on a lot of tightish corners)which means that you arent breaking the law by going more than what it states. i'll have a check this week tho.

I think it is just a suggested speed limit as the speed limit for the road is 50mph..

Still, its fun to take fast